State briefs

Attorney files second lawsuit against Fort Smith

FORT SMITH — An attorney has filed a second lawsuit against officials in Fort Smith, saying they violated the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by discussing city business in emails.

The lawsuit was filed Monday against city directors on behalf of a local resident, the

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. It alleges that Andre Good, Keith Lau and Mike Lorenz violated the law when they sent emails to the other city directors expressing their opinions about a settlement offer that the attorney, Joey McCutchen, made in a previous lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleges the emails amounted to an unlawful meeting and asks a court to bar the directors from “conducting business out of the public view through private emails.”

Sebastian County Capt. Philip Pevehouse said he’s investigating the email complaint.

Lau and Lorenz said the law is unclear about the difference between formal and informal meetings.

“This lawsuit is a frivolous waste of resources and mocks the FOIA law and our legal system,” Lorenz said in an email. “I am hopeful that the judge will not only find in the city’s favor but also fine McCutchen for such frivolous abuse of the law and using these cases for what is clearly a marketing/advertising plan for his law firm. I will not admit guilt to a violation that I know does not exist.”

Arkansas State University helps NASA retrieve eclipse data

JONESBORO — A team of Arkansas State University students and professors has partnered with NASA to retrieve solar eclipse data for the space agency.

KATV-TV reports that professors Tillman Kennon and Ross Carroll led a team of at least 50 university students who traveled to Missouri to retrieve the data for Monday’s eclipse.

The team launched a high-altitude balloon equipped with multiple cameras, tracking devices and other instruments, such as spectrometers and Geiger counters. Released in Fulton, Missouri, the balloon captured images of the sun and of the moon’s shadow on the earth’s surface.

Kennon says one of the day’s biggest achievements was exposing students to the eclipse.

NASA plans to study the eclipse using the images and data, along with those of about 50 other teams also participating in the partnership.

Walton family gives $120M for art school

LITTLE ROCK — A foundation established by the family of Walmart’s founder has given $120 million to the University of Arkansas to establish the first school of art in the state.

The university announced Wednesday that the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation had donated the money, which the school called the largest ever given to a university in the United States to support or establish a school of art.

The university says the school will place a strong emphasis on American art and the

art of the Americas, which it says will complement the mission of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in neighboring Bentonville.

The new school’s development will be phased in over a five-year period and will factor in approvals needed for developing degree programs.

Woman’s body found in Arkansas is that of Alabama woman

JACKSONVILLE — A body found in central Arkansas has been identified as that of an Alabama woman.

Arkansas State Police say the remains of 23-year-old Laramie Cline were found Sunday at Lake Pickthorne near Jacksonville, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Her hometown was not immediately available.

Police say the body was identified by the state Crime Laboratory.

Police say a man who was stopped while driving Cline’s vehicle nearby is being questioned, but no arrest has been announced.

Cline’s body was found Sunday at the lake on the north edge of Jacksonville.